We’re pleased to announce that Erica Mesker has joined the Web Foundation as the Director of Development. Stepping into the newly created role, Erica will lead our fundraising efforts, designing and delivering a fundraising strategy to secure and strengthen the Web Foundation’s long term financial future as we fight for a safe and empowering web for everyone over the coming years. She will also help shape the organisation’s wider strategy as a member of the leadership team.

Erica is an experienced strategic development and fundraising leader, most recently as the Director of Global Strategic Development at TechSoup. There she focused on programs to support civil society organisations to undergo digital transformation and on initiatives to help NGOs combat misinformation and disinformation. She also fundraised for technologies dedicated to social good, including an app to rapidly find shelter for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking in the US.

Erica is passionate about increasing access to education and information as a route to economic empowerment. That’s what drove her work fundraising for student scholarships at Santa Barbara City College where her fundraising career began, and it’s what brings her to the Web Foundation to fight for everyone’s right to web access.

Erica said: “Over the past six months we’ve seen how the internet has been rapidly and creatively leveraged to maintain social connections, deliver education, and sustain commerce. We have also seen the gap that exists for those without reliable, affordable internet. I am incredibly excited to join the Web Foundation at this critical moment to fight alongside leading thinkers, activists, and technologists for a world in which everyone has access to a web that gives them opportunities to learn, create, and build mutual understanding, regardless of their situation.”

Welcoming Erica, Web Foundation President & CEO Adrian Lovett said: “While it’s clear that non-profit organisations are entering a challenging fundraising environment, Erica has the experience and expertise to build on our existing partnerships and develop the diverse, sustainable funding mix we need to grow and deliver our mission to more people. Our vision of a safe and empowering web for everyone has never been more needed. I’m thrilled to welcome Erica to our leadership team.” 

Erica will begin her role on 26 October, based in the Bay Area, California.

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